Joseph Palmer and Phebe Beech Fessenden papers (M060)
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Cite as: Joseph Palmer and Phebe Beech Fessenden Papers, George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Maine
Joseph Palmer Fessenden (Bowdoin 1818) was born on October 24, 1792. He was a Congregationalist clergyman in Kennebunkport (1820-1829) and in South Bridgton (1829-1861), and he advocated the church's taking a more active role on behalf of temperance and the abolition of slavery.
Fessenden married Phebe Perkins Beech (b. Oct. 20, 1796) on November 30, 1819. Although they had no children of their own, they adopted a nephew, William Griswold Barrows (1821-1886, Bowdoin 1839), and two nieces, Mary B. Frezell (1828-1855) and Phoebe F. Beech (1834-1861). Joseph Fessenden died on February 13, 1861; Phebe Beech Fessenden died on February 21, 1870.
More information on the Fessenden family is available in the Fessenden Collection, the Joseph Fessenden Sermons, and the Fessenden Genealogical Material.
The papers contain 370 pieces of correspondence (1803-1893, n.d.); essays; a commencement part and Bowdoin term bill of William G. Barrows; and ephemeral materials.
Consists of correspondence (1803-1893 and undated), including many from William Griswold Barrows. Notable correspondents include William Allen, Kiah Bailey, John S. Tenney, Samuel Fessenden, and William Pitt Fessenden.
Arranged chronologically.
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1803 - 1893
n.d.
Photocopies of William Griswold Barrows letters held elsewhere [NO COPYING PERMITTED]
Consists of essays, a commencement part by W. G. Barrows, a lock of Phebe Beech Fessenden's hair, and other ephemeral material.
Arranged alphabetically.
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Biographical material on T.P. Beech.
Documents: miscellaneous
Essays: school and college essays by William Griswold Barrows
Essays: Bowdoin Commencement part by William Griswold Barrows
Financial materials: Bowdoin term bills of William Griswold Barrows
Lock of Phebe Beech Fessenden's hair
Printed ephemera: John Hubbard broadside
Statement by Rev. Asa Rand concerning the memoir of Rev. G. Payson, Portland, 1823 Dec 10